"Sir, please spare me, I didn't know she was your..."
"Get lost—"
"You've come at the perfect time." Then, she offered a glass of wine to him, "Drinking alone is no fun. Come on, drink with me."
Huo Jingtang looked at the woman coldly. She seemed drunk but also unmistakably lucid.
"Then I'll drink first to show my sincerity." Seeing him motionless, Qin Yucen took back her glass and prepared to down it.
However, Huo Jingtang's large hand shot out, snatched the wine glass from her hand, and drank the wine.
"What a tolerance for alcohol..." Qin Yucen looked at Huo Jingtang with adoring eyes like a little girl who worships a hero, clapping her hands in excitement, "Let's have another drink."
Huo Jingtang took the wine bottle away before she could grab it, and Qin Yucen protested, "Give me the wine."
He refused to give it, and she attempted to snatch it, both falling onto the booth in the struggle, ending up in a close embrace.
Bold from the alcohol, Qin Yucen's arms wound around his neck like ivy, her eyes seductive and bewitching, brimming with beguiling charm.
Her delicate fingers touched Huo Jingtang's cool lips, "Don't be so eager; can we go back and play kiss? I'll keep you company today and make sure you have enough fun!"
Qin Yucen's coy smile was soft, her eyes shone bright as water, yet hidden within their depths was an unspeakable bitterness.
"Qin Yucen, don't feign madness due to alcohol, and don't test my limits, infidelity—you can't afford to play this game," Huo Jingtang pushed her arms away, trying to stand up.
She was a married woman, and Huo Jingtang could have any woman he wanted; there was no need for him to bear the infamy of seducing another man's wife. He should keep his distance, but seeing her bullied, he couldn't just look away.
He didn't even understand what was wrong with him, having agreed to become strangers again, yet they kept getting entangled. It forced him to maintain their closeness.
"Are you the one who can't afford it?" Qin Yucen retorted, pulling his tie with one hand and wrapping it around her fingertip.
Numbed by alcohol, every word she spoke was filled with a vengeful impulse and pleasure, possibly the only way to alleviate the sharp pain in her heart.
Huo Jingtang leaned on the armrest of the booth, his handsome face shrouded in shadows, the corners of his mouth curled in light sarcasm, "Are you sure you want to play?"
"There's no woman I can't handle!" Huo Jingtang's fingertips lightly lifted her chin, her luscious red lips underneath the light resembled ripe, red pomegranate seeds, tempting one to pluck and taste.
He had to admit, she was indeed beautiful.
Qin Yucen's beauty lay in the clear, soul-ensnaring charm that filled her large eyes, in a youthful body exuding the scent of maturity, a glance or a smile packed with lethal allure, one look could send a soul spiraling. Thus her beauty was her best weapon to bewitch the enemy, no wonder Guanshan had sent her, the PR manager, to negotiate the contract, apparently hoping to use a beauty trap.
Fortunately, Xi Yan had introduced her, or else others would've succumbed to her allure and willingly handed over the contract to her.
"Then let me see if your skills are as inadequate as they say, not even lasting a minute?" Qin Yucen exhaled softly, her fragrance wafting, muddling the senses.
"Woman, I'll make you take back those words!" Huo Jingtang's eyes darkened with a deep intensity as he tightened his hold on Qin Yucen's waist, rising from the booth and leaving Yuegui Bar.
He settled her into the car, fastened her seatbelt for her, then finally started the vehicle and drove away, returning to Tanghuang Dijing.
In the depths of winter's night, under the dim glow of street lamps and amidst the delicate snowflakes mixed with the subtle scent of winter sweet, the air swirled enchantingly, piercingly refreshing to the senses.
Qin Yucen, cradled in his arms, was remarkably light. And she, with eyes quietly closed, instinctively reached out to wrap her arms around his fit waist, pressing her little face firmly against his warm chest. Her face was cool, her body exuded the scent of gardenia filling his nostrils, and thinking of how she had held him, softly calling him "husband," with that lingering kiss, he quickened his steps.
With the faint light from outside, he ascended the stairs and gently laid her on the bed.
The soft light caressed her delicate face; her fair skin blushed with a light rose hue, clear and exquisite. Even in her peaceful slumber, she looked exceptionally beautiful.
Huo Jingtang rose to his feet, only to be hooked back by her soft arms, clinging to him in his embrace: "Don't go…"
She half-opened her eyes, watery and soft yet veiled with vulnerability. Gathering her courage, she took his chiseled face in her hands and leaned in slowly, tentatively, their noses about to touch, their mingled breaths suddenly fiery hot.
Huo Jingtang's eyes narrowed slightly, letting her cradle his face, feeling the coolness of her fingertips followed by the warmth of her lips.
Huo Jingtang's breath grew hot, but his eyes remained clear and calm. He pulled away from her, his voice low and husky, "Open your eyes wide and see who you're in the arms of. Tell me, who – am – I?"
He enunciated each word with extreme clarity.
"Huo – Jing – Tang –" Qin Yucen stated, also enunciating each word distinctly.
"Good." A flicker of satisfaction sparkled in his eyes, "Then if you dare to blackout on me tomorrow morning, I swear I'll tear you apart!"
He leaned down, took the initiative to capture her lips, his cool lips now carrying the searing heat, the wild onslaught made their passionate kiss fiery and intense, even the air around them seemed to rise in temperature.
"Why stop?"
Since Guan Haoyang didn't trust her, misunderstood her, and could coldly push her to the brink of despair, then it was only fair for her to actually do something outrageous to repay him.
Huo Jingtang sensed something off about Qin Yucen; it was as if she approached him with a reckless abandon, as if venting something on him. He certainly didn't want to be someone else's stand-in!
He yanked her mischievous hand away: "Calm down!"
"Do you find me dirty?" Qin Yucen's eyes clouded with desolation, "Even he said I've been drunk in countless men's beds over the past five years, so you must find me dirty too, right?"
He watched her speaking to herself, staying silent. As if afraid he wouldn't believe her, she continued, "I'm not dirty, please don't despise me, okay?"
Only in front of him, in front of strangers, could she show her vulnerability.
Qin Yucen thought back to the humiliation she experienced in the hospital that afternoon, the pain that still reminded her how that cold machinery had cruelly torn her innocence apart. She couldn't help but feel sorrowful. Meeting his sharp gaze, her emotions suddenly spiraled out of control, and she began to punch his solid chest like raindrops with her balled fists.